Neither of you could have predicted what happened. I don’t see any reason to be suspect of the situation. It’s just so sad that these two birds were so strongly impacted by the whole thing.
Opie was placed with the parrot rescue because his owner was having serious health issues. As it turns out, she is better and is looking to adopt another bird. I’m fortunate that there are legal contracts that we all sign when adopting or relinquishing a bird to the rescue. Opie’s former owner cannot apply to get him back. And at this point, it would be traumatic for him to have his life changed so much—again. It was awful when I had to board him and the budgie boys for a week-long work trip. He screamed for me as I was leaving him at the same place he was left by his former owner. It shattered my heart!
So I’m glad you will have a written agreement in place to keep Burt and Pudge together in case Burt’s owner has to re-home again. I hope it could be with you if needed!